In early Greek mythology Hecate was the goddess of the wilderness and childbirth, but her role developed over time intokeep out evil spirits, so images of her were placed in doorways and city gates. But this developed the misconception that she could also let evil spirits in if displeased. This led to the belief that she guarded the borders between our world and the spirit world and Christian perceptions of this powerful witch became altogether more negative. Her association with female dogs and snakes, as well as her ability to transform into a black dog, helped to demonise her further, and fed the notion that witches could transform at will. By the 15th century it was believed that Hecate was revered by witches and her role as goddess of all witches became so ingrained in society that Shakespeare references her in as the titular character utters “Witchcraft celebrates pale Hecate’s offerings.”
